Wow Brian! Not too high on the Wolverines are you? I think Michigan is going to win the Big Ten, so there is no way Iowa or Ohio State will be above them. Also, we play Ohio State at The Big House this year!

Wow Brian! Not too high on the Wolverines are you? I think Michigan is going to win the Big Ten, so there is no way Iowa or Ohio State will be above them. Also, we play Ohio State at The Big House this year!

I like Iowa to win the Big 10. They have the best team returning, with Tate, Soloman, Hinkel, a solid offensive line, and the best linebackers in the country. If they can replace their defensive line (specifically Roth and Babineaux), they will be tough to beat, by anyone.

As for OSU, they return 6 of their front 7 from last year, are loaded with seniors on defense (they have 10 returning starters), and have found a QB in Smith. If they fine a running game, they should be great. That's my only concern with them - their rushing attack.

Michigan's offense last year was Braylon Edwards. Hart disappeared against better teams (OSU, Texas), and Henne was throwing too much jump balls to Edwards, relying on him. He'll likely be better this year though. I'm not too worried about the offense, it's the defense and the secondary. Missing Marlin and Shazor will be tough, as well as Curry.

It's close though, any of those three teams will take it. MSU won't be a factor.

June 23rd, 2005, 5:02 pm

TADOne

Play by Play Announcer - Al Michaels

Joined: April 27th, 2005, 3:26 pmPosts: 1776

Quote:

Michigan's offense last year was Braylon Edwards. Hart disappeared against better teams (OSU, Texas), and Henne was throwing too much jump balls to Edwards, relying on him. He'll likely be better this year though. I'm not too worried about the offense, it's the defense and the secondary. Missing Marlin and Shazor will be tough, as well as Curry.

I agree with you that Henne was relying on Braylon too much last year. I think that the Michigan offense can be even better this year spreading the ball around and not relying on one player. Steve Breaston was hurt with assorted injuries all year last year, but with him being healthy, he is a threat to score everytime he touches the ball. And some feel Jason Avant is even better than him. Hart is going to be helped out this year by soph Max Martin and freshman Kevin Grady, whom the coaches really like. Tim Massaquoi is a threat at TE.

As for the defense, I agree the secondary is going to need to replace some good players. But Carr thinks junior Leon Hall can be one of the better corners he has ever had. The other corner and safety positions are still being sorted out by competition in camp. But we still have some quality defenders in DT Gabe Watson, DE Pat Massey, And LB's Lamaar Woodley and Pierre Woods.

_________________Regards,

Tim

June 23rd, 2005, 5:54 pm

conversion02

RIP Killer

Joined: January 26th, 2005, 9:34 pmPosts: 10493Location: Sycamore, IL

Brian wrote:

...and the best linebackers in the country.

I think Virginia has that title this year with Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks...but without Darryl Blackstock, I'm not so sure anymore. Vince Redd can't replace Blackstock...did Redd graduate? I thought he was a Sr last year.